First Public Charter School Approved for Birmingham
The Alabama Public Charter School Commission voted this month to approve a request to open STAR Academy, which will be the state’s first charter school and will open in Birmingham. The Birmingham Board of Education denied the request, which left the decision up to the state. Opinions on charter schools in Alabama and Birmingham are contentious. Opponents say charter schools are for-profit institutions that siphon money from public schools. Supports say they give students and parents more educational choices. Hear more about this from Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper Weld.
Puerto Rico holds general election that promises to be historic
Puerto Rico is holding elections that will be historic regardless of which of the top two gubernatorial candidates wins.
Boeing machinists approve contract, bringing an end to a bruising seven-week strike
Striking machinists voted to approve an agreement that will hike wages by 38%. The deal was endorsed by union leaders, who warned that Boeing’s next offer might be worse.
States and cities beef up security to prepare for potential election-related violence
Washington state's governor activated the National Guard to stand by to help local law enforcement as needed. Meanwhile, extra security is in place at locations across Washington, D.C.
When will mail-in and absentee ballots be counted?
Various state rules regarding when election officials can process and count mail ballots means it will likely take some time after Election Day before the results from these ballots are fully known.
When do polls close in every state? Here’s a timeline
The Associated Press can't call any races until polls close in their respective state. Here's a breakdown of when that will happen.
How has the Electoral College survived, despite being perennially unpopular?
Despite its substantial-sounding name, the Electoral College isn’t a permanent body: It’s more of a process. For decades, a majority of Americans have wanted it to be changed.
